Web-cutting machine



May 6, 1930. G. w. swlF-r, .JR

WEB CUTTINGMACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet Mf,r 6, 1930.

WITNESS G. w. SWIFT, JR 1,757,445

WEB CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, .1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ...1:4 I. dimi-2.14

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Ma l TTORNEYS .u

\ May 6, 1930. G. w. SWIFT. JR

WEB CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESS I A May 6, 1930. s, w. SWIFT, JR

WEB CUTTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV.4 50. 1928 @fa/mf msn/fam.

Patented May 6, 1930 UNrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE W'. SVIFT, JR., OF BORDENTOWN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR '10 GEORGE W. SWIFT, JR., INC., OIE' BORDENTOWN, NEWr JERSEY. A. CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY WEB-CUTTING- MACHINE Application led November 30, 1928. Serial No. 322,935.

f This invention relates more especially to web-cutting machines in which periodicallyoperated cutter blades are driven at various speeds for cutting successive sheets o f substantiallythe same size from a continuous web.

The primary object of this machine is' to provide means of improved construction whereby departures from uniformity of size due to variations in speed at which the machine is driven, may be compensated for in a simple and effective manner.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide improved operating connections between'and related to a web-actuated target and a clutch-controlling device for timing the operation or" periodically-operated cutter blades, said operating connections being responsive to changes in speed at which the 2o machine is driven for the purpose of compensating variations in the amounts of web fed to the cutting mechanism under different speeds of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide web-actuated tripping mechanism of improved construction for automatically controlling the active periods of a frictionally-driven clutch control mechanism which varies in its rapidity of reaction to changes in speed of the machine.

i My present invention furthermore contemplates certain specific features of construction will appear in the specification and recited in the claims.

'.lhc accompanyingdrawings exemplify my invention in a simple, economically constructed and effect-ive form. In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved weh controlled cuttingoif machine.

Figure`2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure S is a vertical detail section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

`Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, with the parte shown in changed positions.

Figure 6 is a vertical section on the line 6 6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section on the line "7--7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the clutch mechanism.

Figure 9 is a top plan View of the latchcontrolled clutch release mechanism.

Figure 10 is a vertical detail section on the line 10-10 of Figure 9, parts being broken away.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail in horizontal plan of parts on the far end of power shaft l.

According to the embodiment of `my invention shown on the drawings, a power driven shaft 1 carries a spur pinion 2 which meshes With a spur gear 3 on one end of a transverse shaft 4. Keyed to the other end of said transverse shaft 4 is a spur pinion 5 which meshes into a spur gear 6. The spur gear 6 is freely journalled upon a lower cut-` ter shaft 7 and carries a laterally presented clutch member 8 provided with an annular series of clutch teeth 9. A second clutch member 10 is provided with reciprocably mounted clutch elements 11 which at each operaton of a clutch-operating ring 12, are adapted to shift the clutch elements 11 into engagement with the clutch teeth 9. For this purpose, the clutoh-operating ring 12 is subj ect to the tension of a helical spring 13 which has one end secured to the clutch member 10 at 14 While its other end is secured to the clutch-operating ring 12 at a point which is hidden from view in Figure 8. The details of this clutch structure are shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 301,041, and inasmuch as the present 1nvention may be readily understood without a complete description of this clutch, reference is herein made to the main essential parts only, The clutchanember 10 is pro vided with a cylindrical extension 10a within which is housed a frictional drive connection not shown) whereby the lower cutter shaft 'i' may be driven` periodically in the manner hereinafter described and by means of which a limited movement of the clutch-member 10 is permitted after the clutch-operating ring 12 has been brought to rest at the end of each periodic operation of the clutch for the purpose of releasing the clutch and again placing the helical spring 13 under tension. The lower cutter shaft 7 carries a spur gear 15 which meshes into and drives a spur gear -16 on an uppei cutter shaft 17.

,Referring more especially to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, a side extension 18 of the main frame is provided with axially spaced bearings 19 and 2() within which is mounted a short shaft 1. this shaft, as shown est in Figure 1, is a clutch release block 22. As shown in Figures 8 and 9,7this oscillatable block 22 is provided with axially spaced pads or stops 23 and 24 which in the normal position of the block shown in VFigure 1 respectively engage a lug or projection 25 of the clutch-operating ring 12 and a stop plate 26 which is mounted upon the outer periphery of the extension 10a Yof `the clutch member 10. At 'each release of the block 22 in the manner to be presently described, the projection 25 and plate Y 26 are left -free to `revolve while at the same time the tension of helical spring 13 operates f' to impart a relative movement 'of the clutchoperating ring 12 with respect to the stop plate 26 in such a way as to throw in one or more of the clutch elements 11. Thereupon the continuously rotating clutch member 8 imparts movement to the lower cutter shaft .7 for cutting olf a section of the web which is continuously passing between the cutter Vshafts for this purpose. Mounted upon the Y outer lateral face of the oscillatory block 22 is a bent arm 27 in the outer end of which is journalled a cam'roller 28. The anti-clockwise movement of the oscillatory vblock 22, according to Figure 1, throws the cam roller 28 into the path of an arcuate cam 29`which forms a downward extension vof theV plate 26.. Thus, as the clutch portion 10a revolves on the siaft'7,the varcuate cam 29 engages cani 'roller 28 and thereby returns the oscillatory block 22to normal position where it is `releasably locked in the manner to be presently described. As the lower cutter shaft 7 f continues its movement, the clutch-operating ring 12 is first brought to rest'by the engagement of .projection 25 with the pad 23, the plate 26 vbeing shortly' afterwards brought into engagement with the pad 24. The continued movement ofthe section lOfof the clutch after the arrest of clutch-operating ring 12 is thus adapted to stretch the helical spring 13 and to place it under tension before the plate 26 is brought to rest by the pad 24. As shown in Figure 1, a latch 30, which is pivoted at 31, is adapted to snap into engagement with thev upper edge of the plate 26 under the pressure of a leaf spring 32, said leaf spring being'mounted upon a pin 31 and pressed against a pin 33 which prol jects laterally froinrthe latch 30. The oscillatory bloclr 22 is provided 'with aV projecting ar1n 34.to whichthe upper end of a helicalV Gscillatably mounted upon` spring 35 is connected. The lower'end of spring 35 is secured to a bracket arm 36 so that whenever the oscillatory block 22 is rcleased, the spring 35 retracts it toward the left, according to Figure 1. Suitable means for releasably holding the oscillatory block 22 in the position shown in Figure 1 and under the control of a web which is passing between the lower cutter shaft 7 and upper cutter shaft 17 for the cutting therefrom of successive sections of predetermined length, be provided as follows. A projecting arm 37 carried by the oscillatory block 22 serves to journal a roller 38. Interposed in the path of the roller 38 is a movable stop 39 which constitutesvone arm ofa lever pivoted upona stud 40, the other arm 41 0f said lever being provided with a transversely beveledupper surface disposed in the path of awebcontrolled butterfly cam Alever to be hereinafter referred to.

Referring now to Figures 1 and'2, the web as it passes forwardly from the cutters is moved forwardly by a pluralityof feedl belts 42 whichoperate over a feed table 43, said feed belts being driven by a plurality of rollers 4 monnted'u-pon a transverseshaft 45. The shaft 45 is driven by a sprocket chain 46 from a counter shaft 47 said counter .shaft being connected by a sprocket 'chain 48 with a sprocket wheel 49 on the power shaft 1. liaterally spaced side rails 50 entendV forwardly from the web-cutting knives, said side rails being arranged below the feed table 43 and supported at their forward ends by uprights 51. Reciprocably mounted upon the side rails 50 is a carriage comprising end fram-es 52 and 53. Journa'lled within de- 'ng bearings 54 andy 55 on said side site ends of which are secured spur pinions 57 and 58 lwhich mesh with suitableraclrs 59 ted downwardly'from said siderails. he i ght hand end of .shaft 56 is provided with a crank-arm 60 for adjusting the carriage longitudinally on the side rails 50.

The end frames 52 and 53 of the carriage are connected above by a tie bar 61, the hub portion 62 of a bracket 63 belngvmounted upon said tie bar. rlhe lowerend of said bracket is provided with a bearing for a transverse shaft 65, the right hand end of said shaft being providedwith a gear pinion 66 which meshes with an idler gear 67 journalled on a stud 68. The idler gear 67 meshes with another spur gear 69 which is secured to a miter vgear 70, said miter gear 70 being in mesh with another miter gear 71 which is splined upon a square shaft 72 to permit-'the longitudinal adjustment of the carriage. As shown best Figures 9 and 16 of the drawings, the rear end of square shaft 72 carries aslotted arm 73 which in its outer .slotted end isprovided with a transverse pin 74 uponfwhich is pivot ed a butterfly cam lever which comprises a ies, is a transverse shaft 56 to the opporlic iis

detent arm 75 adapted to be engaged by a stop pin 7 6 and a cam arm77 which during its movement in an anti-clockwise direction according to Figure l is adapted to Wipe over the cam arm 4l of the trip lever carried by stud 40.

Friction (Zrz'oe for web-controlled tripping mechanism lieyed to the shaft as shown in Figure 8 `is a belt pulley 78, said belt pulley being arranged between tvvo axially-spaced side bars 79. Mounted in the outer ends of side bars 79 and rigidly-connecting them together, are pins 89 upon which are journalled guide rollers 8l foran endless belt 82, said endless belt being held in running engagement With the under side of pulley 78 by means of theguide rollers 8l. lt Will be understood from this description that during such times as the shaft 65 is held against rotation, the endless belt 82 Will slidably engage the under surface of belt pulley 78 but as soon as said shaft 65 is released, the friction of belt 82 upon the pulley 78 vvill immediately impart a rotary movement to the shaft.

Suitable Web-controlled means for periodically locking and releasing the shaft 65 and thereby variably timing the operation of the cutter blades to correspond with the veloeity under which a continuous web is supplied thereto for the purpose of severing suc cessive lengths of substantially the same length, may be provided as follows.

el' `rring more especially to Figures 4 to 7 inclusive, the bracket 68 is provided With an angular extension 88 to which is bolted a stop plate 84. A circular disk 85 which is provifed with a hub portion 86, keyed to the shaft carries a Web-operated trip device which cooperates with the stop plate 84 in controlling the rotation of shaft 85. Said trip device comprises a reciprocatory rod 87 which is movable endtvise in bearing lues 88 {"J 2*:

mounted on one face of the circular disk 85. Said rod` carries a fixed collar or abutment 89 betiveenwhich and one of the bearing lugs 88 is interposed a compression spring 90. Said spring tends to hold the forward end of bolt or rod 87 in abutment with the stop-plate 84, the forward end of said bolt being beveled :it 87a Vto adapt it to seat properly against one edge of stop plate 84. Projecting laterally from the rod or bolt 87 is a pin 91 which operates in :.Lflongitudinal slot 92 formed in the upper end of a rocker plate 98 which oscillates on a pin 94 presented laterally from the circular disk 85.` The lower end of said rocker plate carries a laterally-presented stud 95 upon which a target lever 98 is oscillatably mounted, said target lever being provided lie-- low with a rearwardly deflected end 96 and above with a stop arm 97 which holds said target lever against a forward displacement around the stud 95 but permits saidtarget lever to flex rearwardly whenever the circular disk 85 1s rotated for a single complete turn by the shaft 65.

Operation .The operation of my improved web-controlled cutting mechanism will now be readily understood.

Prior to the impact of the forward ec ge of the Web against the target 96, the several part-s of the Web-actuated tripping mechanism are arranged in their relative positions shown in Figures 4 and 6. At this time, the endless belt 82, which varies in speed proportionately to the speed at which the machineis operated, is slipping under the pulley 78 which is retained at rest by the locking disk 85, said locking disk being held stationary by the rod 87 in `enga,g ,errier1t with the fixed stop 84. As the forward edge of the continuously moving Web strikes the target 96, a clockwise movement of the latter about the pin 94, carries with it the slotted arm 92 since the arm 97 which is integral with target 96 is held in engagement with the pin 94 in such away as to cause the target 96 and slotted arm 92 to pivot in unison on the pin 94. This movement imparts a thrust toward the right upon the rod 87, the spring 90 being thereby compressed and the beveled surface 87 at itsforwardend being retracted from the fixe-d stop 84. Immediately, the locking disk 85 being released, shaft 65 accelerated from rest to the speed of endless belt 82. As the target 96 moves upwardly from in front of the forward edge of the web, the pressure on compression spring 90 is relieved, the rod 87 being thus permitted to return to initial position in Which it is again brought into engagement with the fined stop 84 as indicated in broken lines in Figure 5. At this time, the slotted arm `is againvertically disposed While the tai-ge' 98 is in lloret sitionwith respect ther do by reason of its deflected lower end 96a being slidably supported by the severed portion ofthe web until said severed portion has passed forwardly from under it when the target again assumes its initial position shown in Figure 4 in readiness for another operation.

As the cross-shaft 65 is rotated by the belt 82 acting upon the pulley ..78 at each operation,tl1e gear 66 carried thereby transmits therotary movement through idler 87, gear 69, and bevel pinions and 7l to the shaft 72. l As shown best in Figure 8, the resulting counterclockivise rotation of said shaft 72 moves the cam-lever 77 over the eamming surface 4l and thereby momentarily depresses the power arm of the pivotally mounted latch or cam 89 Which is thereupon moved upwardly out of the path of roller 88. From an inspection of Figui-el, it" Will be understood that this movement releases the tumbler clutch-ring controlling block 22 Which moves l l in' a connterclockwise direction around its lpivotal shaft 21 by the pull of the helical spring 35. By'this action, the stop pads 23 and 24 (see Figure 8) are retracted from under the lugs 25 and 26 carried by clutchoperating ring 12 and clutch member 10a respectively. Immediately, the relatively light mass of the clutch ring 12 under tension of coil spring 13 causes an axial movement of clutch-elements 11 toward the clutch 8 and thereby produces an operation of the cutter blades by power delivered through the continuously rotated gear 6 which is freelyfjourna-lled on shaft '.7 and carries the clutch element 8 which operates on one or more of the clutch-elements 11 to drive the clutch portion 10, 10a which in turn drives the lower cutter'- blade shaft -7 as fully explained in my copending application Serial No. 301,041. As

the clutch-member 10a rotates with shaft 7,

thevsegmental cam 29 comes into engage-ment with cam-roller 28 vin the outer end of arm 27 and thereby returns the tumbler block 22 to its raised position, the cam 39 having been returned to normal position in the meantime in rlocking position with respect to the "roller I claim':--

1.'In'webcutting mechanism, the combination with web-cutting mechanism, 0f a clutch-controlling block, means for normal- I ly holding said block in clutch-holding position, a friction-driven pulley, operating connections between saidV friction-driven pulley and said block-holding means, and means for holding said pulley against rotation, said pulley-holding means including a web-controlled trip. v v

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of web-cutting mechanism Y provided with a clutch-controlling ring movable vabout an axis, said clutch-controlling ring being provided with an outwardlypresented lug, of a control-block normally blocking the movement of said clutch-controlling ring, a belt-driven pulley having operating connections with said control-f movement therefrom.

. In a machineof the character described, the Lcombination of web-cutting mechanism, a clutch-'controlling ring movable about an axis, said clutch-controlling ringbeing providedjwith an outwardly-presented lug, of a control-block normally blocking the movement of said clutch-controlling ring, a clutchmember under the control of said clutchcontrollino` ring, web-actuated means for controlling said control block, said control block being provided with a cam-arm, and a cam carried by said clutch-member for engaging the cam-arm on said control-block for returning saidcontrol block to normal position.

. In web-cutting mechanism, the combination with web-cuttingk mechanism provided with a clutch, of a clutch-controlling tumbler block oscillatable aboutA an axis, a

latch for normally holdingsaid tumbler block in clutch-holding position, a frictiondriif'en pulley, operating connections between said friction-driven pulley and said latch, and means for holding said pulley against latch-operating movement, said means including a web-controlled trip for releasing said pulley-holding means.

6. In amachine` of the character described, the combinationY with periodically-operated web-cutting mechanism, of a frictionallydriven shaft provided with controlling connections with said periodically-operated web-cutting mechanism, a locking disk secured to said frictionally-driven shaft, and web-actuated means for releasing said locking disk. Y

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with web-cutting mechanism, of a rotatable shaft for controlling the periodic operations of said web-cutting mechanism, a frictionally-driven pulley connected to and normally tending'to drive said periodically-rotatable shaft, a locking disk secured to said frictionally-driven shaft, a rod reciprocably mounted on saidlocking disk, a fixed stop, means yieldably holding said rod in endwise abutment with said xedstop, and a web-actuated target connected to said reciprocably mounted rod. Y

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with web-cutting mechanism, of a frictionally driven shaft for controlling the periodic operations of said webcutting mechanism, a locking disk secured to said shaft, .a rodl reciprocably mounted on said locking` disk, a fixed stop, means yieldably holding said rod in endwisefabutment with said fixed stop, and a web-actuated target pivotally mounted on'said locking disk, said target being provided with operating connections with said reciprocably-mounted roc.

9. In. a machine of the character described, the combination with periodically-operated web-cutting mechanism, of a control shaft connected tol and controlling saidV periodil cally-operated web-cutting mechanism, a locking disk secured to said shaft, a rod reciprocably mounted on said locking disk, a iii-:ed stop, means yieldably holding said rod in endwise abutment with said fixed stop, a

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lili

i lever pivotally mounted on said locking disk y mounted rod,

and movably engaging said reciprocablymounted rod, and a web-actuated target pivotally mounted on said lever.

l0. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a periodically rotatable shaft :tor controlling the periodic operations of web-cutting mechanism, of a `rictionally-drivenyshaft connected to and normally tending to drive said periodicallyrota able shaft, a locking disk secured to said frictionally-driven shaft, a rod reciprocably mounted on said locking disk, a fixed stop, means yieldably holding said rod in endwise abutment with said fixed stop, a laterallypresented pin carried by said reciprocablya laterally-presented pin mounted in said locking disk, a lever pivotally mounted on the last-mentioned laterallypresented pin, said lever comprising a slotted arm movably engaging the first-mentioned laterally-presented pin and a target-carrying arm, and a web-actuated target pivotally mounted in the target-carrying arm and provided with a stop arm presented on one side of the laterally-presented pin mounted in saidA locking disk.

l1. In a machine for severing successive portions from a continuous web, the combination ot periodically operated Web-cutting mechanism, a clutch connected thereto, varable speed means for driving said web-cutting mechanism through said clutch, means for holding said clutch inoperative, said holding means being provided with operating connections for moving it to clutch-releasing position, operating connections between said variable speed means and said clutch-holding means whereby the speed at which said clutch-holding means moves to release position is made to vary with the speed of said web-cutting mechanism, and a web-actuated device for controlling the last-mentioned operating connections.

12. In a machine for severing successive portions from a continuous web, the combination of periodically operated web-cutting mechanism, variable speed means for driving said web-cutting mechanism, a normally inoperative element for controlling the periodic operations of said web-cutting mechanism, a friction drive between said variable speed means and said normally inoperative element whereby the speed of said element when released varies with the speed of said web-cutting mechanism, and a web-actuated device for controlling the release of said normally inoperative element.

13. In a machine for severing successive portions from a continuous web, the combination of web-cutting mechanism, a periodically-operated clutch connected to said` webcutting mechanism, a variable speed drive shaft connected to said web-cutting mechanism through said clutch, a member movable said web-cu into land out of position for preventing the `operation of said clutch, driving connections i clutchwhereby the speed at which said clutch is made to vary with the speed of Ving mechanism, and web-actuated means ior controlling the operating `connection between successive members of said driving connections between the variable-speed shaft and said member.

ein a machine tor severing successive `portions troni a continuous web, the combination ot' web-cutting mechanism, a periodically-operated clutch connected to said webcutting mechanism, a variable-speed drive shaft connected to said web-cutting mechauis-m i through said clutch, a frictionallydriven pulley for controllingthe periodic operations oi said clutch, driving connections between said variable-speed shaft and said rictionally-driven pulley whereby the speed et said pulley when released is made to vary `pulley at rest, said device being adapted to be actuated by thetweb for releasing said pulley.

e l5. Ina machine for severing successive portions from a continuous web, the combination of web-cutting mechanism, a periodically-operated clutch connected to said webcutting mechanism, a variable-speed drive shaft connected to said web-cutting mechanism through said clutch, a pulley for controlling the periodic operations of said clutch, a belt for driving said pulley, driving connections between said variable-speed shaft and said belt, whereby the speed of said pulley when released may be made to vary with the speed of said web-cutting mechanism, and a device normally holding said belt-pulley at rest, said device being adapted to be actuated by the web for releasing said pulley.

i6. In a machine for severing successive portions of equal size. from a continuous web, the combination of web-cutting mechanism, a. one-revolution clutch, variable-speed pcaer-transmission means connected to said one-revolution clutch lor driving said webcutting mechanism, a clutch-controlling block movable into different positions for starting and stopping the web-cutting mechanism, a latch for controlling the movements oit said clutch-controlling block, operating connections between said variable-speed power-tranemission means and said latch, and a web-actuated target for controlling said operating connections whereby a variable lapsed time period between the actuation ot said target and the release of said webcutting mechanism is provided.

l?. In a machine tor severing successive portions of equal size from a continuous web,

the combination of Web-cutting mechanism,

a one-revolution clutch, power-transmission means connected to said one-revoliition clutcn for driving said Web-cutting mechaiiism, a clutch-controlling block movable into vdifferent positions for 'starting and stopping 'the Webecutting` mechanism, a latch for holding; said block from moving to a position Vwhich starts the web-cutting mechanism, a

yieldablydriven element connected to said latch, a driving connection between said poWer-transmission means and said yieldably-driven element, and Web-actuated means for controlling the operation of said yieldably-driven element.

18. In a machine for severing successive portions of equal size from a continuous web,

the combination of Web-cutting mechanism,

a one-revolution clutch connected to said Web-cutting mechanism, a clutch-controlling block movable into different positions for starting and 'stopping the Web-cutting mechanism, a latch for holding said block against movement tol clutch-releasing position, a pulley adapted When released to operate said latch, a beltfor driving said pulley, means 1 lfor driving said Web-cutting mechanism and said belt at corresponding variable speeds, and Web-controlled means for successively locking and releasing said pulley.

GEORGE W. SWIFT, JR. 

